A WIRRAL hospital has given joy to a husband and wife from Tranmere after delivering its first baby conceived using IVF.

Proud parents Pam and Tim Whiteside had been trying for a baby for six years when they were referred to Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital’s fertility services.

Just months after starting her course of IVF injections in July last year, 29-year-old Pam discovered she was pregnant and the pair welcomed daughter Olivia into the world on April 27. She weighed just 4lbs 8 ounces.

Pam said: “My fertility consultant gave me an exact date on which he asked me to take a pregnancy test. My husband Tim had to leave for work really early that morning so I took the test before he left.

“At 5.30am on September 12, we found out that I was pregnant. It took a while to sink in as we just couldn’t believe it.”

Consultant Gynaecologist Mike Ellard, who has worked at the hospital for nine years, said: “This is great news for not only Pamela and Tim, but for other Wirral couples wanting a baby, but who are sadly having difficulties.

“If patients needed to have investigations that required IVF, this service would have previously had to take place in Liverpool.

“I am so happy that we are now able to offer an advanced fertility service here at our own trust.”

Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital acts as a satellite service for the Hewitt Fertility Centre.

This means only egg collection and laboratory work takes place at their centre in Liverpool.

Everything else, such as work leading up to IVF, counselling, viability scans, decisions and medication all now take place on Wirral.

Having this improvement to the service gives patients that all important consistency and connection with their consultant and fertility team throughout the IVF process.

Consultant Gynaecologist Mike Ellard.

Mr Ellard added: “It is extremely satisfying and enriching to be a part of a couple’s journey as a strong relationship is often created.

“The patient forms a great trust and bond with their specialist and the fertility team they get to know so well.

“Working with the Hewitt Fertility Centre, our pregnancy rate success is over 50%. On average nationally it is around a 35% success rate.

“This places the IVF service here on Merseyside and Cheshire way above the national
average.”

The Whiteside family are now getting used to their new addition.

Proud mum Pam said: “Olivia is just perfect in every way. I cannot thank the team at the hospital enough for all the work and support they have offered us.

“There is still a stigma around IVF, and there shouldn’t be. Don’t feel ashamed if you need to ask for help. Be confident and make sure you have got good support from your family and friends as you’ll really need them.

“We’re just over the moon that our little miracle is finally here for us all to enjoy.”

Dad Tim added: “For the eight years we’ve been married, we had been trying for a baby for six of those years.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but the specialists guided us through every detail from the counselling sessions we had to have to the regular tests they performed.

“If I could offer any advice to similar couples, it would be to stick with it.”

Comments (1)

Thank you consultant Mike Ellard for my niece & for bringing so much joy to my brother & sister-in-law & both sides of the family. We're so grateful to you for supporting Tim & Pam all the way through this & to be able to welcome all 4lb 8oz of awesomeness that is my niece Olivia. Thank you Mike Ellard & team. Welcome to the world baby Olivia from your proud Auntie Jude!

Thank you consultant Mike Ellard for my niece & for bringing so much joy to my brother & sister-in-law & both sides of the family. We're so grateful to you for supporting Tim & Pam all the way through this & to be able to welcome all 4lb 8oz of awesomeness that is my niece Olivia. Thank you Mike Ellard & team. Welcome to the world baby Olivia from your proud Auntie Jude!missblueesteyes